Disaster Assistance Reaches $3.4 Million for Ohio 

Release Date: December 18, 2002
Release Number: 1444-27

» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms and Tornadoes

Columbus, OH -- One month after Ohio was declared a major disaster area for tornadoes and severe storms, disaster recovery grants and low-interest disaster loans to help those affected have reached $3.4 million, state and federal recovery officials said today.

To date, 480 residents in the eight disaster declared counties in northern Ohio have registered seeking assistance for disaster related losses by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

According to figures released by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), $252,014 in grants under the FEMA/State Individuals and Households Program (IHP) has been approved for Ohio applicants. This includes temporary rental assistance grants to 53 households, totaling $62,949, emergency essential repairs grants to 24 households, totaling $60,540 and $128,525 to 23 households for Other Needs Assistance (ONA), which may include grants for medical, dental, personal property, transportation and other expenses that FEMA approves.

"Our aid programs can only supplement insurance," said Federal Coordinating Officer Ron Sherman of FEMA. "Our grant programs cannot make those affected whole again. Most must turn to the U.S. Small Business Administration low interest disaster loan program for the money to repair and rebuild."

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $3.18 million in low-interest disaster loans. SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term disaster recovery for owners of private property, including homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These low-interest disaster loans cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not fully covered by insurance or other aid.

Individuals, families and business owners in the eight federally-declared Ohio counties (Cuyahoga, Hancock, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Summit and Van Wert) who suffered losses in the November 10 tornadoes and severe storms should register for disaster assistance by calling 1 800 621-FEMA (3362) -- TTY 1 800 462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired -- from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Apr-2003 11:17:54